These are just a few of the personal icons that scientists have chosen to have permanently etched on their flesh. There's an astonishing collection being built in this Flickr album compiled by science writer Carl Zimmer. He has had contributions from the whole gamut of scientists (check out the mathematician who can't live without Pi, and the chemists who love their chillis and drugs.)

Speaking of chemistry, Tim has met someone who gave a whole new dimension to chemistry cheat sheets: he tattooed the periodic table of elements on his right forearm.

Damien, meanwhile, would like anyone who ever sets eyes on his left forearm to know that "you're not always gonna find your answers, but you should always be looking for some".

I never understoond the reason that a person would be compelled to permanently affix a message unto their person which can easily be understood internally or expressed in words rather than a picture to somebody else. It does not make any sense to me and seems an example of behavior that is a bit immature.

I love this!I have the orion constellation on my leg, a somewhat artistic representation of Usrsa Major on my arm.. and I'm on my way to getting Keplers early model of the universe (incorporating the 5 regular solids)! The images shown are much more interesting than a 4-leaf clover, I'd say.

I?ve thought of having a tattoo from once my sister got one, but I am reminded that fixing ink into the skin ? especially older inks, can be carcinogenic, hence a health risk. But in light of safer alternative inks it seems a nice compliment of your hobby, be it your job ect... although if I were to have one done, it needs to be complex and quite unique, hence worth to have, but; not only the content but the positioning is important ? I like the molecular structure of DNA of the man?s spine ? from the album, which is combines to give a greater meaning. I don?t think this is specific; people have had tattoos of all-sorts printed on their bodies, of things they love, so scientists are not different. It would also be a good idea for soldiers to have your name tattooed on their bodies for identification incase that the worst should happen.

I have Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle tatted on my left arm. I didn't get it because I wanted people to look at me and say: "Oh, he must like physics!" (as, many times, I blow off explaining what it means by stating simply that it is my name in Russian), but because I want people who actually KNOW me to understand what the paradox that is this world means to me - even mathematically.I'll probably put the Fine Structure Constant on my right arm next; the charge of the electron being even slightly different would mean humans couldn't exist. And, no, it doesn't change anything that the Fine Structure Constant may not be constant, eventually rendering my brand obsolete - tatoos don't have to mean anything to the people looking at them, but there is a chance that they might happen to see the same 'deeper meaning' you do.

I'd never get a tattoo myself (what if I decided I didn't like it?), but the principle of the thing is a good idea, applied to different art forms. display pictures for one thing (so far, I've had the Uncertainty Principle, numerous references to Darwin and several of the most exquisite micrographs and images of the latest scientific advances (thanks in part to New Scientist)), shirts (not so much, unless they can capture more than just a still image, like the woven electronic displays), contact lenses and in our artworks and writings (even if neither is associated with actual science, to show that you're actually interested in science (science fiction, if you're an author).

OzQLinzXII:i have the uncertainty principle on my right forearm. i, of course, also got it for my own reasons, not to have people question me so i could talk about it. in the beginning it did not bother me, but now after having explained it countless times, i simply say "it's a physics relation. do you really want to know the details?" and most of the time they say no...though every time i do explain it, people tell me that my love for that stuff is very apparent.